Volume 8, Issue 6 - May 18 2003

CCHR

Zap2it.com reported on May 17th that Scientology plans to protest against
the annual convention of the American Psychiatric Association in San
Francisco.
"Actress Kelly Preston plans to lead a protest with hundreds of supports
from the Church of Scientology against the American Psychiatric
Association's annual convention in San Francisco on May 19. Preston says
she's protesting the psychiatric organization's recent opposition to
federal legislation designed to keep parents from being coerced by school
officials to give potentially addictive psychiatric drugs to children.
"Other celebrities such as Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Juliette
Lewis, Isaac Hayes, Anne Archer, Catherine Bell and Lynsey Bartilson have
spoken out at rallies and testified before the House of Representatives
Government Reform Committee on this issue since last September. The actors
are involved with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights - a mental
health watchdog founded by the Church of Scientology. The group says that
since the beginning of 2003, 16 states have introduced laws that would
prohibit the practice of psychiatrists using teachers to identify children
as mentally disordered and forcing parents to give drugs to their children
as a condition for them continuing school."
Message-ID: 1053263908.944186@newshost01.voicenet.com

Housing Authority

Connecticut newspaper the Greenwich Time reported on May 16th that a
Scientologist in charge of the local housing authority has retired.
Benjamin Little was involved in a lawsuit by an employee who claims his
termination was religious discrimination.
"Benjamin Little retired yesterday as chief executive officer of the
Greenwich Housing Authority because of health problems that began earlier
this year when he underwent emergency colon surgery, he said. Little said
his decision to retire was based on a desire to spend more time with his
family and not on a lawsuit that alleges Little, a Scientologist, fired a
former employee because of religious discrimination. Scientology is a
philosophy based on creator L. Ron Hubbard's teachings of self-discovery.
'The lawsuit still goes forward,' Little said. 'The suit's going to be
there. My leaving does not affect the suit.' The housing authority and its
board are also named in the suit."
Message-ID: 1053081297.573130@newshost01.voicenet.com

Interfaith Day

An email sent to Scientologists invited them to participate in an
Interfaith Day of Prayer being sponsored by the Los Angeles Police
Department.
"You are invited to join president CSI, Heber Jentzsch; Chief Bratton and
Reverend Leonard Jackson, of the first AME Church at CC Int on Sunday!
LAPD Religious Advisory Forum is holding this Interfaith Day Of Prayer to
recognize the commitment of the officers of the LAPD.
"This short event will be at the Pavilion at CC Int, from 5 to 6:30 on
this Sunday, May 18th. The C of S Choir has organized an interfaith choir
to perform. Your attendance would be appreciated. It is important that our
Church shows its utmost respect to the men and women of the LA Police
Department."
Message-ID: 4OU6GVQA37755.6@anonymous.poster

Protest Summary

Dave Bird reported a protest at the Birmingham, England org on May 10th.
"We did another picket of the Scientology cult's offices which are in
Churchill House on the floor above Pizza Hut in New St. Present were Dave,
Jens, John, Neil, Katie and Tony. We had a gas cylinder and the
ever-popular Xemu Loves You helium balloons, white ones and clear ones. We
also have some 7 inch PVC inflatable space aliens with Xemu Loves You
printed on their little foreheads.
"The clams seem to have had their own promotional event in Library Square.
We split three and three when the gas cylinder ran out, half the group
going up there to check it out, but whatever it had been was already have
dismantled by the time our 3 got there."
Message-ID: eyz1ZBIR$Xv+Ewph@xemu.demon.co.uk